WEEK IN REVIEW

EDUCATION

Olympics facilitator dubs school gym ‘the U-B’

Sage Hill High School finally accomplished its dream of naming its school gymnasium for one of its founders, Peter Ueberroth.

Ueberroth, known for his work with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and as the sixth commissioner of Major League Baseball, was on hand for the dedication and quickly gave the gym a nickname — the U-B.

Ueberroth said that because his name is so difficult to pronounce, he joked he would accept the dedication only on the condition people use the nickname.

In addition, he said, the nickname allows the stadium to honor his other family members, such as his wife and his daughter, who have both worked for Sage Hill.

COSTA MESA

Monahan seeking another City Council term

Despite saying he was “leaning against” mounting a campaign earlier this year, former Mayor Gary Monahan said Wednesday he would seek another City Council term this year.

“Like anything, life is busy, and sometimes you go through things,” he said. “Initially, I felt very strongly that I wanted to run again, then I started hesitating, and finally came back around. I feel this is how I can best serve the community.”

Monahan, the owner of Skosh Monahan’s Steakhouse and Irish Pub in Costa Mesa, said he would continue to focus on the issues he pursued as mayor: lowering crime, improving city infrastructure, adding parks and working with families and citizens on an individual basis.

He added that he thought the city’s partisan divide — between the “Improvers” and “Return to Reason” camps — was “not healthy,” and pledged to appeal to voters on both sides of the aisle.

Local, 54, defied doctor estimates, inspired others

Justin Ogata was a man whose spirit carried him and whose positive nature couldn’t be stopped by his paralysis, family and friends said.

Despite the wrestling accident that paralyzed him while attending Costa Mesa High School in 1969 and being told his chances of living were slim, Ogata not only survived, but he kept his spirits high, affecting all those around him. He died April 27, at 54.

Ogata’s family remembers him as someone who always thought of others first, was always there with his quick wit to get a smile or to provide candy to a fellow patient.

Services for Ogata are at 2 p.m. today at Waverly Chapel in Santa Ana.

 Mayor Eric Bever says he directed city staff to look into rent hikes as high as 35% over two years at the Anchor Trailer Park in downtown Costa Mesa, noting he was “concerned” about a potentially illegal rezoning.

Average monthly rent, which went from $660 to $850 last year, is scheduled to balloon to as much as $1,025 this year. The number is higher than any other comparable mobile home spaces in the city, which average about $700 a month.

The increase has concerned the park’s tenants, who suspect the park’s owners, Los Angeles-based V2 Ventures Acquisitions and Development Company, are planning to demolish and redevelop the park, and are trying to squeeze residents out to avoid paying for their relocation costs.

“I did see some evidence [to that effect] that caused some concern,” Bever said. “If, in fact, there is intent to close the park, then the owner is responsible under state law to go through a very clearly defined process, and it does not look like they are going through that process.”

Numerous attempts to contact V2V were unsuccessful.

  NEWPORT BEACH

Janitors march for contract talks with Irvine Co.

Hundreds of janitors from across Orange County paraded past Irvine Co.-owned buildings in Newport Center seeking higher wages, better health care and affordable housing.

Workers from the Service Employees International Union marched around Fashion Island and blocked traffic in Newport Center Wednesday seeking support from the Irvine Co. for contract negotiations.

The Irvine Co. contracts with cleaning companies that are in labor negotiations with the union.

 Orange County Coastkeeper is teaming up with city officials and a private boating company to encourage boaters to switch to more environmentally friendly boat paint.

The same type of paint Newport boat owners have used for decades to protect their vessels from barnacles and algae could be deadly to some of the fragile organisms that live in Newport Bay.

The majority of the program, which will include education, financial incentives, city policy changes and water monitoring, will be paid for with a $260,400 grant funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Copper paint is popular among boat owners because the toxicity weakens and kills organisms that latch onto the bottoms of their boats, allowing them to clean and repaint their vessels less often.

The goal of the program is to have 50% to 80% of the boaters at Balboa Yacht Basin Marina switch to nontoxic bottom paint.

  PUBLIC SAFETY

Trial to begin for death of elementary school teacher

The trial for an Irvine woman accused of killing a Newport Beach elementary school teacher in a car accident is ready to begin, lawyers for both sides said this week.

Janene Johns, 53, appeared in court with her lawyer Monday and indicated that they would be ready for trial this week.

Johns and her lawyer, Gary Pohlson, are set to appear back in court Monday to tell the judge they are ready for trial.

Due to the backlog of cases in Orange County Superior Court, attorneys will likely be waiting for a courtroom for up to four days, standing by on one hour’s notice, said prosecutor Robert Mestman.

Johns is accused of killing Candace Tift of Costa Mesa in the accident while under the influence of prescription drugs in August 2006.

 A Costa Mesa High School student was arrested at school Wednesday after a school staff member saw a knife in the boy’s waistband and alerted administrators, police said.

Eric Salas, 18, pleaded not guilty Thursday to bringing a deadly weapon on campus and charges related to being a gang member.

Police found a second knife on him, but said he did not threaten anyone.

School police said Salas is known for hanging out with other reported gang members on campus.